Mar 45

History > Statistical Data > Missing Air Crew Reports

Six crews were lost in March, 1945. Four crews were lost on bombing missions and two were lost supporting Operation VARSITY - the last airborne drop of World War II. Instead of bombs, the 445th dropped food, ammunition, and medical supplies to the airborne and glider troops who had just landed. To make sure they hit their drop zones, the B-24's went in at 300 ft altitude. They were low enough that conventional small arms fire (rifles, pistols and machineguns) would be dangerous. A hit on a pilot or copilot could cause the plane to nose over into the ground, like what happened to 1st Lt Jennis M. Strickland and Lt Col Carl Fleming. Both were struck by ground fire and the plane just dove into the snow covered German countryside.